Committee on the Costs of Medical Care

Historical committee on healthcare costs in the United States

Committee on the Costs of Medical Care

The Committee on the Costs of Medical Care (CCMC) was an influential group formed in the United States in the early 20th century to address the rising costs and accessibility of medical care. The committee's work laid the foundation for future health care reforms and discussions about the organization and financing of medical services in the United States.

Ray Lyman Wilbur, a key figure in the CCMC

Formation and Purpose

The CCMC was established in 1927, during a period when the cost of medical care was becoming a significant concern for the American public. The committee was composed of a diverse group of professionals, including physicians, economists, public health experts, and representatives from various sectors of society. The primary goal of the CCMC was to investigate the economic aspects of medical care and to propose solutions that would make healthcare more affordable and accessible to the general population.

Key Members

One of the prominent figures in the CCMC was Ray Lyman Wilbur, who served as the chairman. Wilbur was a respected physician and educator, and his leadership was instrumental in guiding the committee's work. Other notable members included C.-E. A. Winslow, a public health expert, and Michael M. Davis, an economist known for his work on health care systems.

Findings and Recommendations

The CCMC conducted extensive research and analysis over several years, culminating in a series of reports published between 1928 and 1932. The committee's findings highlighted several key issues:

• The uneven distribution of medical services across different regions and populations.
• The high cost of medical care, which was becoming increasingly burdensome for many families.
• The need for better organization and coordination of health services.

The committee recommended several reforms, including the expansion of group practice, the development of health insurance plans, and increased government involvement in the provision of health services. These recommendations were considered progressive at the time and sparked significant debate among policymakers and the medical community.

Impact and Legacy

The work of the CCMC had a lasting impact on the field of health care policy in the United States. Although not all of its recommendations were immediately adopted, the committee's reports influenced subsequent health care reforms and laid the groundwork for future discussions about national health insurance and the organization of medical services.

The CCMC's emphasis on the need for comprehensive health planning and the integration of medical services into a more cohesive system foreshadowed later developments, such as the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid in the 1960s.

Related Pages

• Health care reform in the United States
• History of health care reform in the United States
• Medicare (United States)
• Medicaid